"I was scared!" she pleaded, reaching for my boots. "I thought I'd be executed! I thought if I just stayed quiet, nobody would know!"
"You are an accomplice," I snapped, pulling away. "By your silence, you ensured the killer escaped. By your cowardice, you allowed an innocent woman to be blamed for a crime she didn't commit."
I looked at the guards. "Take the others back to their quarters. They are to be under constant surveillance. Not a word of this leaves this room. If Julian or the High Alpha hears so much as a whisper of this 'hidden guest,' I will personally oversee your executions."
The guards moved quickly, dragging the four terrified maids away. I was left alone with the one who had blundered.
"Why didn't you report this the moment you heard he was dead?" I asked, my voice dangerously calm.
"I... I hoped she was long gone. I thought... maybe it wasn't her."
